NAIA

Crusaders keep dancing; head to Sweet 16 for first time ever

LIVONIA, Mich. – After escaping the first round of the NAIA National Tournament against Dordt University by the skin of their teeth, the No. 5 seeded Crusaders found themselves matched-up against the No. 13 seeded Shawnee State Bears in the second round. Having upset the No. 4 seeded Roosevelt Lakers yesterday, the Bears proved they are a dangerous playoff team. While the Crusaders started off hot with a lead after the first half, the Bears turned up in the second half to take it to the final possession. In the final seconds of the game, it was their all-conference forward Brendan Young who sent them to the Sweet 16 with two free throws to ice the game. The Crusaders took an 81-78 victory in their home stadium of ACCU Arena, heading to Kansas City for the first time in program history.